Surgical device, surgical adapters for use between surgical handle assembly and surgical loading units, and methods of use

Abstract

A surgical device comprising a handle housing, an adapter, an elongated portion, an end effector, a first drive element, and a second drive element is disclosed. The adapter includes a first drive assembly configured to mechanically engage a portion of a first actuation mechanism of the handle housing. The elongated portion is configured to extend distally from the adapter. The first drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first drive assembly. The second drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first drive assembly. Rotation of the first drive assembly in a first direction about the longitudinal axis causes distal translation of the first drive element. Rotation of the first drive assembly in a second direction about the longitudinal axis causes distal translation of the second drive element. The first direction is opposite from the second direction.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical device comprising:
 an adapter including:
 a first shaft configured to receive first rotational input from an actuation mechanism; 
 a first drive rotatably coupled with the first shaft; 
 a first axial member operatively coupled with the first drive such that rotation of the first drive causes axial displacement of the first axial member; 
 a second shaft configured to receive second rotational input from the actuation mechanism; a second drive rotatably coupled with the second shaft; and 
 second and third axial members operatively coupled with the second drive such that rotation of the second drive in a first direction causes axial displacement of the second axial member in a third direction and rotation of the second drive in a second direction opposite of the first direction causes axial displacement of the third axial member in the third direction; and 
 
 an end effector including first, second, and third axial drives configured for axial displacement to effect first, second, and third functions of the end effector, the first, second, and third axial drives operatively coupled to the respective first, second, and third axial members of the adapter. 
 
     
     
       2. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first shaft defines an acute angle with the first drive. 
     
     
       3. The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first shaft includes a worm gear. 
     
     
       4. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first shaft includes a spur gear. 
     
     
       5. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second and third axial members are coaxially arranged. 
     
     
       6. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes a plurality of fasteners therein, distal translation of the second axial member causing the plurality of fasteners to be ejected from the end effector. 
     
     
       7. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes a knife therein, axial displacement of the third axial member causing translation of the knife. 
     
     
       8. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes an anvil movable between open and approximated positions, axial displacement of the first axial member transitioning the anvil between the open and approximated positions. 
     
     
       9. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second drive includes first and second portions configured to engage the second and third axial members, respectively. 
     
     
       10. The surgical device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second portions of the second drive are formed as a single construct. 
     
     
       11. The surgical device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second portions of the second drive include a set of right-handed threads and a set of left-handed threads, respectively. 
     
     
       12. The surgical device according to  claim 11 , wherein the right-handed threads are disposed on an outer surface of the second drive and the left-handed threads are disposed on an inner surface of the second drive. 
     
     
       13. The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second shafts is proximally biased. 
     
     
       14. An adapter for mechanically engaging a powered surgical instrument, comprising:
 a first shaft configured to receive first rotational input from an actuation mechanism; 
 a first drive rotatably coupled with the first shaft; 
 a first axial member operatively coupled with the first drive such that rotation of the first drive causes axial displacement of the first axial member; 
 a second shaft configured to receive second rotational input from the actuation mechanism; 
 a second drive rotatably coupled with the second shaft; and 
 second and third axial members operatively coupled with the second drive such that rotation of the second drive in a first direction causes axial displacement of the second axial member in a third direction and rotation of the second drive in a second direction opposite of the first direction causes axial displacement of the third axial member in the third direction, wherein the first, second, and third axial members are configured to be operatively coupled with an end effector of the powered surgical instrument such that axial displacement of the first, second, and third axial members effects first, second, and third functions of the end effector, respectively. 
 
     
     
       15. The adapter according to  claim 14 , wherein the first shaft defines an acute angle with the first drive. 
     
     
       16. The adapter according to  claim 15 , wherein the first shaft includes a worm gear. 
     
     
       17. The adapter according to  claim 14 , wherein the first shaft includes a spur gear. 
     
     
       18. The adapter according to  claim 14 , wherein the second drive includes first and second portions configured to engage the second and third axial members, respectively. 
     
     
       19. The adapter according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second portions of the second drive are formed as a single construct.